Astronomers detect the chemical composition of centaur (2060) Chiron for the first time, revealing the presence of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide ice alongside carbon dioxide and methane gases in its coma. This discovery sheds light on the makeup of these early solar system objects.
Centaurs are real. In space, that is. These celestial objects orbit the sun between Jupiter and Neptune and have the characteristics of both asteroids and comets. Now, astronomers are learning more about a famous centaur known as (2060) Chiron and how its surface chemistry sets it apart from other centaurs, by detecting its chemical composition for the first time.
Chiron has both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide ice alongside carbon dioxide and methane gases in the cloud-like envelope of dust and gas that surrounds it–called a coma. The findings are detailed in a study published December 18 in Astronomy & Astrophysics and add understanding the make up of these objects that date back to our Solar System’s early days. This new study also builds upon a discovery from earlier this year that detected carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide ice on trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) for the first time. Comets vs asteroids vs centaurs Both comets and asteroids are planetary objects that orbit the sun, but they do have some key differences. According to NASA, an asteroid like Dimorphos is a small, rocky object that appears as a point of light when observed with a telescope. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt–a ring between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter. They also come in various shapes and sizes and some have a satellite orbiting. A comet, such as Halley’s comet, is made out of ice and dust. When a comet near the sun, its dust and ice begins to vaporize. When viewed with a telescope, a comet appears fuzzy and like it has a tail as the vapor trails it. Much like the mythological half-human and half-horse creatures, centaurs in space have characteristics of both comets and asteroids. They revolve around the sun in the outer solar system, primarily between the orbits of the gas giant Jupiter and Neptune. In 1977, Chiron became the first centaur ever discovere
Centaur Chiron Astronomy Solar System Chemical Composition
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